Kirk Cousins’ time in Atlanta was brief, and there weren’t many bright moments, even before he took a snap for the Falcons.
When news broke of his $180 million deal, new life was brought to the organization, but the cheers didn’t last very long. About six weeks after the Falcons inked Cousins to a four-year contract, they drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick.
Naturally, Cousins was taken by surprise. He’d just left Minnesota after six years, and his successor would now be breathing down his neck in Atlanta. However, as expected, the veteran took it with grace.
Kirk Cousins has been a consummate professional at every turn in his career, and his stint with the Falcons would be no different. The latest blow being his relegation to the bench, which he’s handled exactly how everyone should’ve expected the veteran to.
“I like to shoot elephants in the room, so I just wanted to shoot one,” Cousins said of his decision to call Penix. “… He was great; he’s ready to get to work and play well.”
“… It’s pro football. There’s a standard that I have for myself, that the team has for me. Unfortunately, I wasn’t playing up to that standard consistently enough. It is what it is. You roll with it.”
Somehow, Kirk Cousins, who is likely going to be paid $90 million for 14 games worth of work, is a sympathetic figure. It’s because of how he’s carried himself since arriving in Atlanta. Even if it didn’t go how everyone had hoped, Falcons fans should have nothing but respect for the way Cousins has handled this entire situation.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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